Portable Eye-wiping Device

ABSTRACT

A portable heater with ovoid receptacle is disclosed. The portable heater comprises a top member comprising a semi-ovoid cavity, a bottom member comprising a semi-ovoid cavity, a hinge operatively connected to the top and bottom members, and a heating mechanism.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSED TECHNOLOGY

The disclosed technology relates generally to hinged heating devicesand, more specifically, to portable heating devices with receptacles.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSED TECHNOLOGY

The meibomian gland in the eyelid secretes sebum, an oily/waxy substanceused to lubricate the eye and produce tears. To date, more than ninetydifferent proteins have been identified in sebum, but what is relevantto the average person is a certain stickiness or crustiness thatdevelops around the eye, especially overnight when the sebum oftencollects and dries at the edge of the eye. Dysfunctional meibomianglands may cause dry eyes, blepharitis (infected skin resulting from thedry eyeball rubbing off small pieces of skin from the eyelid),meibomitis (inflammation of the meibomian gland), meibomian glanddysfunction, and similar complications resulting from the secretions.Many vague symptoms, such as dryness, contact lens-induced irritation,burning, and the like may persist for months or years. The generalhygiene of the individual may play a large role in such problems aswell, and when the required prophylactic procedures are onerous, timeconsuming, or easy to forget (such as tooth-flossing, cleaning behindone's ears, or removing eye sebum) a person may simply neglect theactivity more often than advisable.

In the current state of the art, the accepted treatment to remove excesssebum secretions is to use a mild detergent, such as baby shampoo, andwiping the closed eyelid several times. Alternatively, warm water—plainor diluted with such a detergent—may be applied to aid in dissolving thesolidified sebum. Other known methods are the use of eye drops, thoughsuch products typically have an undesired degree of toxicity. Whilevials containing eye drops are easily portable, many ophthalmologistshesitate to prescribe such medication due to toxicology concerns, and itis neither easy nor comfortable to warm up eye drops before application.Baby shampoo and cloth or wipes, on the other hand, are not as portableand require greater effort on the part of the user, includingpreparation, use of towels or tissues, and cleanup.

What is needed is a device or method to allow eye hygiene to beaccomplished in a safe, comfortable, effective, and simple manner. Sucha device or method would enable a higher degree of hygiene and comfortfor the user compared to what is currently known in the art.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSED TECHNOLOGY

It is therefore an object of the disclosed technology to provide aportable, easy to use heating device and wipes which may be used for anycleaning purpose, but also, specifically designed to clean sebum fromthe face of a person, and more specifically, the region around the eye.

In one aspect of the disclosed technology, a portable heater with anovoid-shaped receptacle is claimed. Ovoid, in embodiments of thedisclosed technology refers to a solid generated from an oval curve in aplane, rotated around one of its axes of symmetry, an elongated sphere,or a three dimensional space resembling such a shape. The portableheater comprises a top member comprising a semi-ovoidal cavity, a bottommember comprising a semi-ovoidal cavity, a hinge operatively connectedto the top and bottom members, and a heating mechanism.

The semi-ovoid cavities of the top and bottom members may form a unitaryovoid cavity in a closed configuration of the portable heater. The topmember may comprise at least one pin and the bottom member may compriseat least one recess. The heating mechanism may be placed in an activemode only when the pin(s) and recess(es) interface. The two semi-ovoidcavities may be substantially identical (e.g., be half-ovoid or appearas such to a casual observer, and/or identical with respect to thetolerance level of the machinery used to produce the cavities).

A detergent-soaked pad may be adapted for placement in the unitary ovoidcavity. To aid in even heat distribution/retention of detergent withinthe pad during heating, the pad may be foil-lined. To promote usability,the exterior of the pad may be porous and/or textured.

A method for removing sebum from a face comprises warming a textured padin an ovoid-shaped cavity of a portable heater, removing the pad fromthe heater, and gently wiping the pad across at least a portion of theface. The textured pad may be ovoid-shaped and may further be pre-soakedin oil.

In a further embodiment of the disclosed technology, a case comprises abattery compartment, a first and second semi-ovoid cavity, and at leastone metal heating mechanism situated within the case operativelyconnected to the battery compartment and the semi-ovoid cavity. A secondmetal heating mechanism situated within the case and operativelyconnected to a battery compartment and a second semi-ovoid cavity mayfurther be present A first member may comprise the first semi-ovoidcavity and a second member may comprise a second semi-ovoid cavity, andthe members may be attached by hinges. Unless at least one pin of thefirst member and at least one corresponding recess of the second memberare engaged, said heating mechanism may be non-operative.

A kit comprising a portable heater with ovoid receptacle and ovoid pad,the pad being pre-moisturized with a cleaning agent, is further claimed.The cleaning agent may be any one of an oil, detergent, sterile water,and/or combination thereof. The ovoid pad may be wrapped in foil. Afirst member may comprise a first half of the ovoid receptacle, and asecond member may comprise a second half of the ovoid receptacle. Thefirst and second members may be attached by hinges.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a top, front perspective view of an eye-wiping device in aclosed configuration in an embodiment of the disclosed technology.

FIG. 2 shows a bottom, rear perspective view of an eye-wiping device ina closed configuration in an embodiment of the disclosed technology.

FIG. 3 shows a bottom plan view of an eye-wiping device in an embodimentof the disclosed technology.

FIG. 4 shows a front elevation view of an eye-wiping device in a closedconfiguration in an embodiment of the disclosed technology.

FIG. 5 shows a side elevation view of an eye-wiping device in a closedconfiguration in an embodiment of the disclosed technology.

FIG. 6 shows an opposite side elevation view of an eye-wiping device ina closed configuration in an embodiment of the disclosed technology.

FIG. 7 is a transparent version of FIG. 3 showing, at a high level,devices within a bottom member in an embodiment of the disclosedtechnology.

FIG. 8 shows a cutaway view of FIG. 3 along section line 8-8.

FIG. 9 shows a top perspective view of a pad adapted for placement in anovoid cavity in an embodiment of the disclosed technology.

FIG. 10 shows a top plan view of a pad adapted for placement in an ovoidcavity in an embodiment of the disclosed technology.

FIG. 11 shows a side view of a pad adapted for placement in an ovoidcavity in an embodiment of the disclosed technology.

FIG. 12 shows a top perspective view of a packaged pad in an embodimentof the disclosed technology.

FIG. 13 shows a top plan view of a packaged pad in an embodiment of thedisclosed technology.

FIG. 14 shows a side view of a packaged pad in an embodiment of thedisclosed technology.

FIG. 15 shows a side perspective view of an eye-wiping device in an openconfiguration in an embodiment of the disclosed technology.

FIG. 16 shows a front side view of an eye-wiping device in an openconfiguration in an embodiment of the disclosed technology.

FIG. 17 shows a side view of an eye-wiping device in an openconfiguration in an embodiment of the disclosed technology.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE DISCLOSED TECHNOLOGY

Embodiments of the disclosed technology comprise a case with anovoid-shaped receptacle therein, and a mechanism, such as battery power,to warm an object, such as a pad adapted for placement therein, placedin the ovoid receptacle. In an embodiment thereof, the device comprisesa top and bottom member, each comprising a semi-ovoid cavity, such as ahalf-ovoid cavity, each semi-ovoid cavity formed from, or adjacent to, aheating mechanism, such as a concave metal plate heated with the aid ofa battery or other power source. Safety mechanisms ensuring that thedevice is non-operational when in an open configuration and/or thatunsafe temperatures of a pad are not reached are also contemplated anddisclosed herein. The ovoid cavity and a corresponding pad allow forsuch a pad having oil, chemicals, or the like to be warmed and optimallyused to wipe away sebum or other non-wanted substances, food, or otherparticles from a surface such as the skin.

Embodiments of the disclosed technology will become clearer whenreviewed in connection with the description of the figures herein below.

FIG. 1 shows a top, front perspective view of an eye-wiping device in aclosed configuration in an embodiment of the disclosed technology. A topmember 100 and bottom member 200 are used to house an ovoid or othershaped cavity which, in embodiments of the disclosed technology,correspond to/are able to receive a correspondingly-shaped pad. The padis warmed therein, as the warmth is more comfortable thanroom-temperature or below room-temperature liquids or solids on the faceand allows a user to more effectively wipe away sebum or other unwantedparticles. Still further, most liquids, such as those described belowwith respect to FIGS. 9 through 11, are more effective/more easilyabsorbed at higher temperatures. When a desired pre-defined temperatureis reached, as measured by a timer or thermometer within, or associatedwith, the ovoid cavity, an indicator light 210 comes on in embodimentsof the disclosed technology. The indicator 210, in an embodiment of thedisclosed technology, lights a first color, such as red, to indicateheating is taking place, and a second color, such as green, to indicatethat the desired temperature has been reached or that it is safe to openthe device and take out the pad placed therein.

FIG. 2 shows a bottom, rear perspective view of an eye-wiping device ina closed configuration in an embodiment of the disclosed technology. Ahinge 105, in this embodiment, connects the top member 100 to the bottommember 200, such that a user may open and close the device in order toaccess the ovoid receptacle and place or remove a pad, such as an ovoidpad. Battery compartment 220 allows a user to place one or morebatteries into the device, so that the device can be used anywhere, suchas on an airplane, in a car, while sitting in a park, at a restaurant,at a hotel, or the like. Further, a electrical port 225 or wirelesscharging mechanism is provided in embodiments of the disclosedtechnology making it possible to power the device via an electricalconnection to a power source, such as a common electrical outlet, or torecharge a rechargeable battery placed within battery compartment 220.

FIG. 3 shows a bottom plan view of an eye-wiping device in an embodimentof the disclosed technology. FIG. 4 shows a front elevation view of aneye-wiping device in a closed configuration in an embodiment of thedisclosed technology. FIG. 5 shows a side elevation view of aneye-wiping device in a closed configuration in an embodiment of thedisclosed technology. FIG. 6 shows an opposite side elevation view of aneye-wiping device in a closed configuration in an embodiment of thedisclosed technology. These various views show the full dimensions ofsuch a device in an embodiment of the disclosed technology. Thedimensions, in this embodiment, are 4 inches×3 inches, with a height ofapproximately ¾ inch. Such dimensions include space for the interiorcomponents of the device, a compartment for unused wipes (not shown) andfor the device to fit within pockets of a variety of sizes.

FIG. 7 is a transparent version of FIG. 3 showing, at a high level,devices within a bottom member in an embodiment of the disclosedtechnology. The items shown within the bottom member 200 may instead orpartially be within the top member 100. Electrical signals, such as byway of wires passing through the hinge 105 or pin/recess 130 and 230 orpin/recess 230 and 235 (shown and described with reference to FIG. 15)are used to detect whether the case is in an open or closedconfiguration, and allow or disallow the heating element to operate.Such an embodiment is desirable when some of the devices shown withinthe bottom member 200 of FIG. 7 are placed in the top member 100.

Referring again to FIG. 7, a semi-ovoid receptacle 250 (andcorresponding semi-ovoid receptacle 150 of the top member 100) is cutinto the bottom member 200 (and top member 100). “Ovoid,” in embodimentsof the disclosed technology refers to a solid generated from an ovalcurve in a plane, rotated around one of its axes of symmetry, anelongated sphere, or a three dimensional space resembling such a shape.The portable heater comprises a top member comprising a semi-ovoidcavity, a bottom member comprising a semi-ovoid cavity, a hingeoperatively connected to the top and bottom members, and a heatingmechanism. A heating plate, such as a metal heating plate, may form thereceptacle or may be placed just behind a portion of the top/bottommember and is capable of generating heat based on passage of an electriccharge there-through, such a charge emanating from a power source, suchas one operatively connected to the power port 225, or a battery orbatteries within the battery compartment 220. Light 210 alerts a userwhen a pad is ready to be placed in the ovoid receptacle, when a pad isbeing warmed, when a pad has reached a desired temperature, when it issafe to separate the top member 100 from the bottom member 200, and/orwhen to remove the pad.

Control circuitry 240 comprises the logic functions of the device, in anembodiment of the disclosed technology. In embodiments, functions may becarried out by switches such as temperature switches and timer switcheswhich turn off the heat source or disconnect the power to the heatingapparatus (e.g., the concave metal elements forming or just behind theovoid receptacle) upon a certain amount of time having elapsed or atemperature having been reached. The control circuitry may alsodetermine such events and determine when to turn on or off the heatingapparatus or light 210. Other functions include detecting when thedevice is in an open or closed configuration, and disallowing heat in anopen configuration, such as when pin 230 and recess 130 are not engaged.In such a case, a circuit may not be complete, thus disallowing power tothe heating apparatus.

FIG. 8 shows a cutaway view of FIG. 3 along section line 8-8. In thisfigure, a pad 300 is shown and will be described in greater detail withreference to FIG. 9. The pad 300 is ovoid and placed within a cavity orrecess formed between top member 100 and bottom member 200. A semi-ovoidreceptacle 150 is formed within the top member 150, and a secondsemi-ovoid receptacle 250 is formed within the bottom member 250. Aheating apparatus, such as a metal plate or other heat generatingmechanism may form one or both semi-ovoid receptacles 150 or 250.Alternatively, such a heating apparatus may be placed just behind, or infront of, the receptacle itself, the receptacle wall and/or the top andbottom members 100 and 200 being procured from a hard plastic, polymer,metal, metal alloy, or combination thereof. As shown in FIG. 8, aheating mechanism comprises a first heatable plate 152 and a secondheatable plate 252 which join when the device is in a closedconfiguration and the plates are operatively connected to a powersource, i.e., when the battery compartment 220 (with cover 222) isoperatively connected to a battery (power source) and a heatingmechanism.

FIG. 9 shows a top perspective view of a pad adapted for placement in anovoid cavity in an embodiment of the disclosed technology. FIG. 10 showsa top plan view of a pad adapted for placement in an ovoid cavity in anembodiment of the disclosed technology. FIG. 11 shows a side view of apad adapted for placement in an ovoid cavity in an embodiment of thedisclosed technology. The pad may be moistened with a detergent or ashampoo, such as what is commonly known as “baby shampoo.” Baby shampoois formulated so that it is less irritating to the eyes than regularshampoo and comprises one or a plurality of sodium trideceth sulfate, anorganic surfactant, an ionic or non-ionic surfactant, an alcohol, or thelike. Such a pad is typically pre-soaked and pre-packaged individually,so that a user may open a pad as necessary, and place it into theheating device. Such a pad may also be placed into the heating devicewhile still in an individual package. Thus, when the pad has been heatedto an appropriate temperature, the packaging is removed and it isensured that the contents of the pad and detergent or shampoo do notremain on the heating device. Such pads, or such pads with packaging, inembodiments of the disclosed technology, are adapted to fit within andfill or substantially fill (e.g., 90% or greater by volume) an ovoidcavity formed when the heating device is in a closed configuration.Still further, the pad or its packaging may be foil-lined, as foil has alow heat capacity and aids in distribution of heat evenly over the pad.To aid in usability, the exterior of the pad may be porous and/ortextured.

FIG. 12 shows a top perspective view of a packaged pad in an embodimentof the disclosed technology. FIG. 13 shows a top plan view of a packagedpad in an embodiment of the disclosed technology. FIG. 14 shows a sideview of a packaged pad in an embodiment of the disclosed technology. Asdescribed above, such a package, in embodiments of the disclosedtechnology, is placed within the heating device and more specifically,within the ovoid receptacle. The packaging, depending on the embodiment,may be removed before or after placement of the pad in the ovoidreceptacle. A user may desire to remove part or all of the packagingbefore usage thereof to wipe away sebum on the face (e.g., near the eyesor under the eyelid) or other unwanted particles.

FIG. 15 shows a side perspective view of an eye-wiping device in an openconfiguration in an embodiment of the disclosed technology. FIG. 16shows a front side view of an eye-wiping device in an open configurationin an embodiment of the disclosed technology. FIG. 17 shows a side viewof an eye-wiping device in an open configuration in an embodiment of thedisclosed technology. In the open configuration, pins 130 and 135 areclearly shown. The pins, as described above, interface with recesses 230and 235. This ensures proper closure of the device, and, further, may beused in conjunction with an electrical or mechanical switch to determinewhether the device is opened or closed. The heating apparatus, inembodiments of the disclosed technology, is only operative when thedevice is in a closed configuration.

While the disclosed technology has been taught with specific referenceto the above embodiments, a person having ordinary skill in the art willrecognize that changes can be made in form and detail without departingfrom the spirit and the scope of the disclosed technology. The describedembodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrativeand not restrictive. All changes that come within the meaning and rangeof equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.Combinations of any of the methods, systems, and devices describedhereinabove are also contemplated and within the scope of the invention.

1-7. (canceled)
 8. A method for removing sebum from a face comprising:warming a textured pad in a cavity of a portable heater; removing saidpad from said heater; gently wiping said pad across at least a portionof said face.
 9. The method of claim 8, wherein said textured pad isovoid-shaped.
 10. The method of claim 9, wherein said textured pad ispre-soaked in oil.
 11. A case comprising: a battery compartment; a firstand second semi-ovoid cavity; at least one metal heating mechanismsituated within said case and operatively connected to said batterycompartment and said semi-ovoid cavity.
 12. The case of claim 11,further comprising a second metal heating mechanism situated within saidcase and operatively connected to a battery compartment and a secondsemi-ovoid cavity.
 13. The case of claim 12, wherein a first membercomprises said first semi-ovoid cavity and a second member comprisessaid second semi-ovoid cavity.
 14. The case of claim 13, wherein saidfirst and second members are hingedly attached.
 15. The case of claim14, wherein, unless at least one pin of said first member and at leastone corresponding recess of said second member are engaged, said heatingmechanism is inoperative.
 16. A kit comprising a portable heater withovoid receptacle and ovoid pad, said pad being pre-soaked with acleansing agent.
 17. The kit of claim 16, wherein said cleansing agentis selected from the group consisting of an oil, detergent, sterilewater, or a combination thereof.
 18. The kit of claim 16, wherein saidovoid pad is wrapped in foil in said kit.
 19. The kit of claim 16,wherein a first member comprises a first half of said ovoid receptacleand a second member comprises a second half of said ovoid receptacle.20. The kit of claim 19, wherein said first and second members arehingedly attached.